DIY Antique Headboard Bench

I still remember that “AH-HA” moment I had when I finally came up what I was going to do with this antique headboard. A friend of mine, who knows my love for antique furniture and to spruce things up, handed down this beautiful antique spindle headboard to me in the fall. It sat in our barn over the winter, and pretty much every time my husband went in the barn he asked what I was going to do with it. I think he wanted it out of his way, but there was no way I was going to let him get rid of it. I knew it would be used for something fabulous, I just didn’t know how I wanted to use it yet. And then, the “AH-HA” moment. I will turn you into a bench. Well not me so much, but the hubby. I was convinced I could do this project solo, but he keeps me on painting duty, so I will do my best to show you how we turned this antique headboard into a bench.

Here is what you will need to get started.

Antique Headboard of choice

2×2’s for the front legs

1×3’s support frame

1 – 1×12 for bench seat

First he measured the length of the headboard, and cut the 1×12 to match. Now that we had the seat length he could make the frame for it. Cutting one piece of the 1X3 to the same length as the 1×12, and then he cut the remaining 1×3’s to run the width part of the frame, to create a box for the 1×12 to sit on. He made the frame out of the 1×3’s and attached the front legs that had been cut to a  height of 20 inches. With extra 1×3 pieces, he cut each end at a 45 degree angle to help support the frame and drilled pocket holes underneath for added strength. All that was left to do was give the frame, new legs, and bench seat a fresh coat of paint. 

I finished it off with a few throw pillows to create a cost and inviting outdoor seating area. In case you missed our outdoor summer dining are, you can catch the full reveal HERE.

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